Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | December 26, 2013
The Story of the Savior: 1. Jesus Self-Identified with the Unclean – In His Birth 2. Christ Socialized with Sinners – in His Life 3. Christ Scolded the Self-Righteous – in His Teaching 4. Christ Saves His Servants – in His Death 5. Christ Set Loose the Slave of Fear – in His Resurrection 6. […]
PHall | December 15, 2013
John 2-3 & John 18-19 – Acting as bookends, these two stories have more in common than I realized. In John 2 Jesus cleans the temple of the sacrifice sellers. History tells us Annas owned and operated these and he is introduced in John 18. In John 2 Jesus takes out a whip. In John […]
PHall | December 8, 2013
The question is usually phrased, “What Will You Do WITH Jesus.” “With” is a little too impersonal. So let’s make this personal. “What Will You Do TO Jesus and What Will Jesus Do TO You? Judas Will USE Jesus to Get What He Wants (Jn.18:2; 6:70-71; 12:4-6; 13:2,27-30; Mt.27:1-5) Jesus Will BEMUSE His Arresters […]
PHall | December 7, 2013
Among the soldiers, possibly 200 with weapons, Peter draws a sword and attacks to defend his Lord. Among a slave girl and others warming themselves by a fire, Peter draws his empty breath to deny he even knows Jesus. Sadly, that quickly, within an hour or so, he goes from defender to denier. Temptation, when […]
PHall | December 7, 2013
In John 18 we have an interesting cast of contrasting characters: Gentile soliders/Jewish soliders (v.3); Slave/Free (v.18); Religious/Pagan (v.12); Rich (High priests)/Poor (slaves); Rulers (Pilate)/Ruled over; Disciples/Unbelievers. Basically “the world” of John 3:16.
PHall | December 7, 2013
Jesus rebuked Peter for cutting off the ear of Malchus. Jesus instructs Pilate that if His kingdom was of this world, His disciples would fight; just like Peter had done (Jn.18).Good intentions do not make for kingdom actions. Fight like the world by words or actions is not fighting for the kingdom.
PHall | December 5, 2013
Unity – Unity in the Bible is both a beginning point, and a goal; both the foundation of fellowship and the result (John 17). We will always have differences because we are all in different phases of maturity. Doctrinal differences are never glorified, but don’t need to destroy. The only time differences are called a […]
PHall | December 5, 2013
Interesting contrast: When Jesus answers the question “Who are you looking for?” and they say, “Jesus the Nazarene”, He confesses “I Am” (lit., Jn.18.5-8). The soldiers step back and fall down to the ground. They understand and in their own awkward, fearful way, confess. When Peter is questioned, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples […]
PHall | November 22, 2013
Genesis 3 and John 3 – Satan in disguise as a serpent brings death to the world by belief in a lie. Jesus in symbol of a serpent brings life to the world by belief in the truth: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be […]
PHall | November 15, 2013
In the gospel of John both “prove” and “become” are translated from the same word ginomai. We become what we do, and do what we become. There is no existence without action, and action proves existence.